Greenbelt council delays vote on collective‑bargaining charter amendment after members object to last‑minute changes

During first reading of a proposed charter amendment to permit collective bargaining for eligible non‑exempt municipal employees, multiple council members objected to changes that were submitted shortly before the meeting and asked for more time to review the language.

Councilmember Pompey said a different resolution had been “subbed in” two hours before the meeting and that she was not comfortable reading language that did not reflect previous council discussions. “I am not comfortable with this amendment being introduced at so late a point,” she said, noting the change affected the definition of which employees would be excluded as ‘confidential.’

City Manager Josue Samaron and staff briefed council that the change aimed to clarify who would be excluded (confidential or exempt employees), and legal counsel noted that definitions can have consequences across municipal code. Councilmembers debated procedure and timing; several said they lacked adequate time that evening to review the substituted language.

A motion to table the resolution for first reading to the May 11 meeting — and to discuss the language at the scheduled work session before then — was moved, seconded, and carried after roll call. The tabling preserves the council’s ability to reintroduce refined language at a later date and allows staff and legal counsel to provide additional analysis on definitions and implications.

Councilmembers noted this is a policy decision that requires careful drafting and public notice: the charter amendment process carries a statutory notice requirement for public hearings. No final charter language or vote on adoption occurred during the meeting; the item remains pending further review and notice.